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Description
„Avdives, khetanes” (translated as „Today, together”) aims to strengthen and further develop services addressed primarily to Roma children in Belin commune and to ensure a constructive transfer of best practices and know-how in integrated social interventions to Ferentari neighbourhood in Bucharest. Multiple discrimination, low SES and a lack of perspective characterize the two communities; the main differences resides in their lifestyle. Consequently, the project’s main objective is to increase inclusion and develop the premises for a better quality of life for vulnerable groups in the two communities. Thus we will develop and offer educational, health and employment services, trainings in Roma rights, advocacy, inclusion etc. and an empowering and anti-discrimination cultural program. In the end, 300 vulnerable children will benefit from education and health services, 350 vulnerable adults will benefit from health and employment services, 400 Roma persons will participate in the cultural program, 20 teachers will be trained in experiential and inclusive pedagogy, 10 specialists will be trained on Roma inclusion, and 45 specialists and Roma leaders will be trained in advocacy. The interventions in Belin will be carried out by Amfiteatru Foundation (qualification program, non-formal educational program and specialist training) and the Belin Community Development Association (educational service, selection and maintenance of target group) and those in Ferentari by Amfiteatru Foundation (employment services and education, training program and training of specialists) and the Municipality of Sector 5 (health services, selection and maintenance of target group and contribution to activities). To conclude, the partnership will achieve an increase in the access of vulnerable persons to social services, a decrease in vulnerabilities and a higher degree of motivation, empowerment and better future perspectives for at least several hundred Roma persons.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the insufficient number of existing services for the Roma and disadvantaged groups. According to the analyses carried out by the project promoter and partners, the main challenges identified in the two communities (Belin – a rural settlement in the center of Romania – and Ferentari, Roma-inhabited impoverished neighborhood in the capital city) were high rate of school drop-out and functional illiteracy, health problems related to living conditions and life style (drug and alcohol abuse), juvenile delinquency, lack of future prospects, material deprivation etc.
In order to address these issues, the project proposed actions meant tackle school drop-out, to promote a healthy life style and to provide employment services. All these services were provided by a multidisciplinary team trained during the project, which eventually took over the activities during the sustainability period.
Fostering a more inclusive society by celebrating the Roma culture and history was a particular highlight of the project.
The project provided the target groups with a comprehensive package of integrated services for 500 Roma children and adults from both communities. These services consisted in educational, health and employment services, which were offered by a multidisciplinary team. Furthermore, 45 Roma leaders were trained in issues such as human rights, discrimination and advocacy, as part of an extensive empowerment program.
Roma children were a special focus of the project and they had the opportunity to participate in a non-formal and remedial education program and vocational counselling. Also, they were part of special workshops, where they were offered information on issues like healthy life style.
The adults received mainly assistance in accessing health services, as well as employment services consisting in training courses.
A special highlight was a diversity festival, which took place in both communities. This festival was meant to promote and celebrate the Roma culture and history, as a way to foster a diverse society, but also to create a sense of pride in throughout the target group. Several traditional and contemporary artists took place at the festival thus highlighting the uniqueness of the Roma culture and history.
This project reached its target groups, and all the indicators were duly fulfilled. 613 Roma children and adults from the two communities benefited from integrated services, while 700 took part in empowerment actions. This project created a sustainable model of complex social services specifically designed according to the target groups. The general population was also amongst the beneficiaries of the project, as an estimated number of 5000 persons were subjected to an awareness raising campaign on specific issues like discrimination.
The project also promoted intercultural dialogue, by mainstreaming the Roma culture and history by also promoting a sense of pride amongst the Roma citizens.